Wales
3
Day Itinerary •
UK
Three days in Wales reveal the finest mountain, coastal and heritage landscape in Britain outside Scotland. The summit of Snowdon, the extraordinary Portmeirion Italianate village, Harlech Castle above Cardigan Bay, Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons and Tintern Abbey in the most romantic valley in Britain are all within reach of a north-to-south route through the most extraordinary small country in these islands. This route moves from the dramatic peaks of Snowdonia through the extraordinary west coast of the Llyn Peninsula and Cardigan Bay to the Roman fortress of Harlech and then south through the Brecon Beacons to the Gothic ruins of Tintern Abbey. Three days of extraordinary mountains, literary villages and the finest medieval heritage in Wales.
Best Time To Visit
April to October
Getting There
Train to Bangor then bus, or car from Manchester or Bristol
Getting Around
Car essential throughout
Budget Per Day
Approx 90 to 225 GBP per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, mountain walking options for all levels
DAY 1
SNOWDONIA
MORNING
SNOWDON VIA THE PYG TRACK, THE FINEST MOUNTAIN IN WALES
Snowdon at 3,560 feet is the highest mountain in Wales and England combined south of Scotland, its extraordinary summit giving views over Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Brecon Beacons and the Lake District on clear days. The Pyg Track from Pen-y-Pass is the finest ascent, its extraordinary route above Llyn Llydaw and below the north ridge giving the most dramatic approach to the summit. The Snowdon Mountain Railway is an alternative at approx 30 pounds return. Walking entry free. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
LLANBERIS PASS AND THE EXTRAORDINARY GLACIAL VALLEY
The Llanberis Pass below the Pyg Track is the finest glacial valley in Wales, its extraordinary U-shaped profile, the twin lakes of Llyn Peris and Llyn Padarn and the Dinorwic slate quarry carved into the mountainside above giving it a landscape of quite remarkable drama. The Welsh Slate Museum at Dinorwic quarry is the finest industrial museum in Wales, its working slate-splitting demonstrations extraordinary. Museum entry free. Drive/Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE OGWEN VALLEY AND TRYFAN, THE FINEST ROCK CLIMB IN WALES
Tryfan above Llyn Ogwen is the most distinctive mountain in Wales, its extraordinary jagged north ridge and the Adam and Eve summit stones making it the most photographed summit in Snowdonia. The Ogwen Valley walk along the shores of Llyn Idwal beneath the extraordinary Devil's Kitchen cliff cirque is the finest accessible walk in the park. The view from Llyn Idwal to the Glyder range is extraordinary. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve above Llyn Idwal contains the finest assemblage of arctic-alpine plants in Wales, including the extraordinary Snowdon Lily found at only one other location in Britain. The extraordinary hanging valley with its cirque of cliffs and the Devil's Kitchen waterfall chasm is accessible by a 30-minute walk from the Ogwen car park. Charles Darwin visited in 1831 and failed to recognise the glacial evidence around him. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Pete's Eats, Llanberis The finest walkers cafe in Wales. Outstanding full Welsh breakfast and the biggest mugs of tea in Britain. | Lunch: Plas y Brenin cafe, Capel Curig Outstanding mountain food at the National Mountain Centre. Local produce throughout. | Dinner: The Heights, Llanberis Outstanding local food and Welsh ales at the finest pub in Llanberis after a day on the mountain.
DAY 2
THE WEST COAST
MORNING
PORTMEIRION, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY ARCHITECTURAL FANTASY IN BRITAIN
Portmeirion is the most extraordinary and extraordinary man-made place in Wales, an Italianate village built between 1925 and 1976 by the eccentric architect Clough Williams-Ellis on a private peninsula above the Dwyryd Estuary. The extraordinary collection of architectural salvage, the Baroque cupolas and the extraordinary setting above the estuary sands make it the finest folly in Britain. The Prisoner television series was filmed here. Entry approx 14 pounds. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
HARLECH CASTLE AND THE FINEST VIEW OF ANY CASTLE IN BRITAIN
Harlech Castle on its extraordinary 200-foot rock above Tremadog Bay is the finest castle viewpoint in Britain, its extraordinary concentric walls giving views over the Llyn Peninsula, the Rhinog mountains and Cardigan Bay in a panorama of quite remarkable breadth. The castle was built by Edward I between 1283 and 1289 and withstood the longest siege in British history during the Wars of the Roses. Entry approx 9 pounds. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE MAWDDACH ESTUARY AND THE MOST BEAUTIFUL RAILWAY IN BRITAIN
The Cambrian Coast railway line between Barmouth and Pwllheli is the finest coastal railway in Britain, its extraordinary Barmouth Bridge over the Mawddach Estuary giving views of the extraordinary estuary sands, the Cader Idris range and the distant Snowdonia peaks that rival any railway view in Europe. The walk across the Barmouth Bridge is extraordinary. Entry free, bridge toll approx 1 pound.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Cwm Bychan above Llanbedr in the Rhinog mountains is one of the most extraordinary and least visited hidden valleys in Wales, its extraordinary Roman Steps, a medieval paved packhorse route climbing through ancient oak woodland and heather moorland to the Rhinog Fawr ridge, giving the finest walking in south Snowdonia entirely free of other walkers. The lake of Llyn Cwm Bychan below the steps is one of the finest hidden gems in Wales. Parking at the lake approx 3 pounds.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Portmeirion Hotel Outstanding breakfast at the extraordinary Italianate hotel before the village opens to day visitors. | Lunch: The Old Vaults, Harlech Outstanding Welsh pub lunch below the castle. Local Welsh lamb and traditional Welsh rarebit. | Dinner: Ty'r Graig Castle Hotel, Barmouth The finest dinner in Barmouth. Outstanding local seafood from Cardigan Bay.
DAY 3
BRECON AND THE WYE VALLEY
MORNING
BRECON BEACONS AND PEN Y FAN, THE FINEST SUMMIT IN SOUTH WALES
Pen y Fan at 2,907 feet is the highest point in the Brecon Beacons and the most southerly peak over 2,000 feet in Britain. The extraordinary horseshoe walk from the Neuadd reservoirs gives the finest circuit in the Beacons, its extraordinary views over the Black Mountains, the Vale of Usk and on clear days to the Pembrokeshire coast and the Bristol Channel making it the finest mountain day in south Wales. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
BRECON AND THE FINEST MARKET TOWN IN MID WALES
Brecon is the finest market town in mid Wales, its extraordinary Cathedral of St John the Evangelist with its medieval leper chapel, the Brecknock Museum and Art Gallery and the extraordinary Tuesday and Friday markets making it the finest urban centre in the Beacons. The town is the base for the annual Brecon Jazz Festival, the finest jazz event in Wales. The riverside walk along the Usk is extraordinary. Entry to cathedral free. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE WYE VALLEY AND TINTERN ABBEY, THE MOST ROMANTIC RUIN IN BRITAIN
Tintern Abbey in the Wye Valley is the most romantic and beautiful ruined abbey in Britain, its extraordinary Gothic arches rising from the valley floor beside the River Wye in a setting that inspired Wordsworth, Turner and countless subsequent artists. The Wye Valley Walk along the cliff top above the abbey gives the finest view of the ruins from above. The drive down the Wye Valley from Monmouth is extraordinary. Entry approx 7 pounds.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Sgwd yr Eira waterfall in the Vale of Neath, accessible by a 2-mile walk from Pontneddfechan through extraordinary limestone gorge woodland, is the most extraordinary waterfall in Wales, its ledge path behind the curtain of water allowing walkers to pass behind the 45-foot cascade entirely dry. The waterfall is the finest of the four waterfalls circuit in the Neath valley. The gorge woodland in spring bluebells is extraordinary. Entirely free. Car parking at Pontneddfechan approx 2 pounds.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The Felin Fach Griffin, Brecon The finest breakfast in the Beacons at the best pub with rooms in Wales. Outstanding local produce. | Lunch: The White Swan, Llanfrynach Outstanding Welsh country pub lunch near Brecon. Local lamb and Breconshire ales. | Dinner: Tintern Old Rectory Outstanding dinner in the most extraordinary setting in the Wye Valley. Book well ahead.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Llanberis, Night 1 Royal Victoria Hotel or Snowdon Lodge. Approx 70 to 150 GBP per night. Harlech or Barmouth, Night 2 Harlech Castle Hotel or Ty'r Graig, Barmouth. Approx 80 to 160 GBP per night. Brecon or Abergavenny, Night 3 The Felin Fach Griffin or The Hardwick. Approx 90 to 180 GBP per night.
Top Tips
1. Snowdon Pyg Track: start before 8am in summer to avoid queues at the summit. The dawn walk is extraordinary.
2. Portmeirion: arrive at opening time before day visitors. The village before 10am is entirely different.
3. Pen y Fan via the Neuadd reservoir route avoids the busier Storey Arms path. Far quieter and equally fine.
4. Tintern Abbey: finest photographed from the cliff above on the Wye Valley Walk. 30-minute climb from the road.
5. Llyn Idwal walk: accessible for all abilities, pushchair-friendly path to the lake. The cirque is extraordinary.
6. Pete's Eats Llanberis: cash only, unchanged for decades. The finest pre-mountain breakfast in Britain.
Total Budget
90 to 220 GBP/day